The Merrimack River Eagle Festival 2021

Special Event
February 9–14, 2021

Presented by Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center & Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Many Thanks to Our Sponsors

Newburyport Bank logo
Boston Partners Financial Group logo
Bald Eagle © Joseph Cavanaugh
Bald Eagle © Joseph Cavanaugh

February 9–14, 2021

Virtual & In-Person 

When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year we host a grand event marking their return.

This year, we hope you'll join us online and in-person for programs in the Newburyport and Amesbury area to celebrate our very special winter residents! The 2021 Merrimack River Eagle Festival events will be held Tuesday, February 9 – Sunday, February 14, 2021.

While the banks of the Merrimack River will not be lined with crowds of eagle spotters this season, we rejoice in recognizing the wonders of the natural world as our local habitats welcome winter's animal visitors.

Activities

Our virtual and special in-person activities are designed to keep all participants safe during the Covid-19 pandemic. In-person programs will be limited to a maximum of 10 people, and all participants must wear face masks and practice physical distancing during the program. Online pre-registration will be required for all Eagle Festival events—both in-person and virtual—to help manage capacity limits and minimize contact.

→ Programs will be added to this list as they become available for registration. ←

Nature Walks for Tots: Bald Eagles
Tuesday, February 9 • 10:00-11:30 am

(for ages 3–6 w/an adult)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats
Members, $12/adult $10/child | Nonmembers, $16/adult $14/child
Register today >

The Real Eastern Coyote (Online)
Tuesday, February 9 • 7:00-8:00 pm

with Chris Schadler, Project Coyote's NH/VT Representative & Wild Canid Ecologist
FREE, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Learn the true story of the Eastern Coyote–how and when it arrived in New England, how it lives among us but is rarely seen, and how it contributes to keep our forests and fields healthy. Viewers will have an opportunity to pose questions to the presenter. To Register: Send an email to PRNWR with a subject line of "Coyote Program" and include your name in the body of the message.

Marsh Owls (Online)
Wednesday, February 10 • 7:00–8:00 pm

with Scott Santino, Mass Audubon's Ipswich River | Sean Riley, Forest & Park Supervisor for DCR’s Belle Isle Marsh Reservation/Rumney Marsh
Members $10, Nonmembers $10
Register today >

Massachusetts Wildlife Success Stories – Bald Eagle (Online)
Thursday, February 11 • 7:00–8:00 pm

with Dianne Davis, author of "Eagle One: Raising Bald Eagles - A Wildlife Memoir"
Members $15, Nonmembers $20
Register today >

Friday Field Trips for Homeschoolers: Bald Eagles
Friday, February 12 • 10:00 am-12:00 pm

(for ages 7–14 w/an adult)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats
Members, $14/adult $12/child | Nonmembers, $18/adult $16/child
Register today >

Winter Raptor Identification (Online)
Friday, February 12 • 7:00-8:30 pm

with Kathy Seymour, Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm | Jane Sender, Birding Trip Co-Leader
Members $10, Nonmembers $10
Register today >

Live Raptors with Drumlin Farm & Horizon Wings (Online)
Saturday, February 13 • 10:00-11:00 am or 2:00-3:00 pm

with Wildlife Care Staff, Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm | Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation
$5 per household
Register today >

Eagle Festival Field Trips
Saturday, February 13 • 9:30-11:00 am or 12:30-2:00 pm

(for adults & families w/children ages 8+)
with Eagle Festival guides
$6/adult, $6/child
Register today >

Nature Walks for Tots: Bald Eagles
Saturday, February 13 • 10:00-11:30 am

(for ages 3–6 w/an adult)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats
Members, $12/adult $10/child | Nonmembers, $16/adult $14/child
Register today >

Outdoor Adventures for Families: Bald Eagles
Saturday, February 13 • 1:30-3:30 pm

(for ages 6–11 w/an adult)
with Lisa Hutchings, Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats
Members, $14/adult $12/child | Nonmembers, $18/adult $16/child
Register today >

Live Raptors with Drumlin Farm & Horizon Wings (Online)
Sunday, February 14 • 10:00-11:00 am or 2:00-3:00 pm

with Wildlife Care Staff, Mass Audubon's Drumlin Farm | Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation
$5 per household
Register today >

Nature & Wildlife Photography in Winter (Online)
Sunday, February 14 • 1:00-2:00 pm

with Ranger Matt Poole, Visitor Services Manager at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge & Photography Teacher
FREE, register through Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Ranger Poole will present an overview of time-tested tools, tips, and techniques for creating more successful images at a time of year when many have stowed their cameras away until the arrival of warmer weather. To Register: Send an email to PRNWR with a subject line of "Winter Photography" and include your name in the body of the message.